Peter Sultan

9.1

Enough age to bring the fruit intensity down a notch, & man that’s some good fruit- emphasis on the cassis & blackberries. Usually not a mega fan of Bordeaux, but this fit the bill for a shared bottle with friends, drink outside on the banks of the Hudson. — 6 months ago

Adriana Fabbro

9.3

Everything about this wine screams uncool in our industry in the present era: high alcohol (14%), heavy extraction, generous use of new oak (presumably), ripe + chewy tannins, flavors that shout rather than whisper and high praise from Robert Parker (cue Elaine or Carlton Banks’ dance moves). Maybe it’s my 90’s nostalgia or maybe I’ve been drinking too much vintage port these days 🤷🏻‍♀️ but it all works beautifully here: intense aromas of licorice, pepper, cedar, black plum, wet tar, dried tobacco, cranberries, cassis, dried violets. And this is only the beginning... A blast of macerated red and black berries on the palate, held together by a solid acid backbone, followed by a long finish laced with black olive, dried tobacco, mocha and mineral. Hedonistic. Three cheers for Alicante Bouschet! — 3 years ago

Joe Gillies

9.1

Steak night on vacation in the outer banks.
Having an Idaho vs Napa cab comparison. We went to Idaho for a wedding in June and purchased some local wines.
2014 Split Rail Winery vs 2013 Chappellet Napa Valley cab.
This is massive at 15.6% abv with equally big blueberry, cassis, smoke, and touches of lavender. Very surprised by how well this wine was! This was $33 vs the $65 Chappellet price point. — 5 years ago

Ben Lehman

9.4

One of the best wines of the Italy trip. Had with our dinner on the banks of Lake Garda. Super dry, great length, simply amazing! — 2 years ago

JKT

9.2

As expected beautiful medium golden color, complex notes of white and tropical fruits and petrol with fresh scintillating almost creamy buttery texture and long finish. Outer Banks grilled mahi-mahi and tuna by Bob. Yum. — 3 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Foot of the Andes Mountains on banks of Maipo River in Upper Maipo Valley, 650 meters above sea level, vineyard dates back to mid-19th century, when first pre-phylloxera French varieties were brought to Chile, deep Ruby with aromas of dark fruits & mineral notes, a blend of 92% Cab Sauv & 8% Cab Franc, aged for 15 month in French oak (65% new). On the palate flavors cherry & blackberry with powerful tannins, long finish, very tight, ending with mineral and tobacco notes. Needs ten years. Tasting Sample! — 4 years ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

I went large on the 98 right banks & this showed well showing lots of dark fruits, spice box, mocha, dried herbs & tobacco notes. — 3 years ago

Tobin Trevarthen

9.2

I also have a weak spot for Pomerol’s and right banks from St. Emilion. This find delivers on that Merlot inspired approach. Subtle. Expressive. — 3 years ago

Olivia Kidner

9.3

Tommy Banks from home, December 2020 — 3 years ago

Joe Gillies

9.2

Steak night on vacation in the outer banks.
Having an Idaho vs Napa cab comparison. We went to Idaho for a wedding in June and purchased some local wines.
2014 Split Rail Winery vs 2013 Chappellet Napa Valley cab.
This is more elegant and balanced compared to the split rail cab. Dark fruit, tobacco, and earthy notes on the palate. This was $65 vs the $33 Split Rail cab price point. — 5 years ago